This proposal seeks access to UK Biobank data to support a research program dedicated to improving our understanding of sleep. This includes identifying the causes of different sleep disorders, developing new treatments, and when possible preventing and curing sleep disorders like narcolepsy.
Recent advances in research have opened the door to the discovery of the genetic causes of disease. It is important to learn the genetic causes of disease or genetics changes that modify disease severity so that we may provide the best care for patients and the best possible information and counseling to families, and so that we may work towards developing better treatments and prevention strategies.
In addition, we will use machine learning approaches to analyze accelerometry activity data from devices worn on the wrist.
We hope to identify gene(s) and biomarker(s) associated with the development of disorders such as sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, insomnia, narcolepsy, idiopathic hypersomnia (excessive daytime sleepiness). If one or more unique gene(s) or biomarker(s) a protein, sugar, or other molecule in the body that’s presence or concentration is unique to individuals with a particular condition) are identified, physicians would have a simple, minimally invasive tool to diagnose sleep disorders.
This research will be complemented by our research at Stanford on narcolepsy and other sleep disorders that uses clinical samples.